Protest erupted in Sri Lanka on Saturday after a group of Buddhist monks and village rallyist joined hands to protest against the leasing of 15,000 acres worth of agricultural zone near the Hambantota port to a Chinese firm.

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The protest, which initially kicked off at Amabalanto, saw the protesters throw rocks at the police in retaliation after government supporters protected with clubs attacked them. The demonstration took place during the project's inauguration ceremony.

Police also reportedly used water cannons in an attempt to disperse the crowd who started to show unruly behaviors.

Meanwhile, the number of people injured during the Saturday incident is still unverified. However, a great number were seen being rushed to the nearest medical facility by an ambulance.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) were protesting against the government's move for a 99-year lease of the Hambantota port to a Chinese firm that will hold 80 percent ownership.

Colombo Page explained that the Hambantota Magistrate Court  had issued a restraining order and declared the protest illegal.

Salon news also reported that the governing body plans to convert the area into an industrial zone for the Chinese to set up their various production firms. The protesters were firmly against the move, saying that it was better off as an industrial land.

China, thus far, has already invested 1.2 billion in the region, a move that investors believe has a hidden agenda.

Among the protesters was lawmaker D.V Chanaka, who claimed that such initiative was wrong and was basically handing out the land to China.

"We are against leasing the land where people live and do their farming. When you give away such a vast area of land, you can't stop the area from becoming a Chinese colony," Chanaka said.

The Ceylon Ports General Employees Union (part of JVP) will hold another protest on Monday.

"We will continue with our protest until the government abandons its plans to sign the agreement giving control of the Hambantota Port to China," CPGEU officials said.

Tagschina, Sri Lank, Protest, JVP, CPGEU